Sacra Consulta

Sixtus named it the 'Congregation over the consultations of the ecclesiastical state' (Congregatio decimoquarta pro consultationibus negociorum Status Ecclesiastici)[1] and established its composition of four cardinals, the Secretary of State as prefect and a suitable number of prelates (around eight), one of whom would act as secretary.

It acted as a supreme court for disputes between cities and their governors, making it a forerunner of the modern Italian Council of State.

[2] It was suppressed in 1809 but revived in 1814 after the French released Pope Pius VII.

It finally ceased to operate on 20 September 1870 when the Papal States were abolished.

Generally a cardinal nephew held the office of prefect, though there were two exceptions to this rule: Pope Alexander VII (1655–67) ended the cardinal nephews' influence on the Consulta.